Still can't believe some people make their own fireworks then take it a step further on my crazy-o-meter by lighting them themselves...

A True Champion - Bob. Rest in peace. 15/04/06"People today have too big a devil and too small a God"
- Stephen Currie"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

Still can't believe some people make their own fireworks then take it a step further on my crazy-o-meter by lighting them themselves...

Well most fireworks are made in factories. Some of the more adventurous and closet pyros (like me) tend to 'mod' the fireworks a bit sometimes, usually involving packing more stuff in the fire-fountains to get more height or color additions.
However, lighting fireworks is a lot of fun. Sometimes accidents happen but unless you do something really ********, it isnt an issue. Also, people rarely go fire off fireworks on their own-usually you are surrounded by family and hyperventilating moms who quite literally make sure that their sons and daughters arnt gonna go kaboom.

Also, one thing about Diwali ( or Kali puja as its known in my part of India) is that you see a LOT of variety of fireworks in display. Its not just a whole lotta noisy and fancy explosions in the night sky- you see that near the 'government areas' of most cities anyways- its a lot of fire fountains, roman candles, micro-dynamites, these coiled firework stuff that ejects a long plume of flames and spin around on its axis once lit, these really sparkly fire-stick thingies, mini rockets of all sorts(launched mostly from bottles), etc etc. All the while, most buildings have oil-wick candles lined across the balcony or roofs.
I'll try to find some pictures but stupid google is mostly filled with the the candle pics.

Yeah, I just probably wouldn't trust myself not to have done something very stupid when modifying the firework, thus putting myself in grave danger when lighting it myself.

Well modifications are rare coz usually you end up getting a good beating if mom or dad finds out that you messed with the fireworks. That being said, minor burns (ie, very minor- the sort where you put cream on it for 2-3 days and its good as new) are very common, especially to your hands.
The firefountains usually are the hairy ones- its basically a clay pot with a lotta powder packed in it with various metallic oxides thrown in for color, with an opening near the top. The whole idea is to light it, run away and watch a 'fountain' of fire happening. Some of those fire-fountains can be as high as 3 storeys. Rarely (but not so rare that you dont hear about it) those clay pots explode after a few seconds instead of producing controlled burn. In actual numbers, there are always several major burns or deaths happening but in terms of scale, it is so insignificant. Practically the whole of India is blasting fireworks that day.
If you ever go to India, Diwali or Holi ( around spring time) are two major 'fun events' to take part in and methinks you'll quite enjoy it unless you are too much of a chicken.

PS: And if you are too much of a chicken, holi should be the 'other major fun' festival- you get to toss colors at everyone-water, powder and sometimes oil. You come home looking like a world cup face-painter fan who couldnt quite deciede what regalia to paint his/her face,clothes and body with and ended up doing a total 'fudge'. You also get to drink a lotta bhang during holi if thats your thing.
ofcourse, throwing color at building/cars are not appreciated-you can get beaten up for that.